Human, Animal, and Environmental Health

University of Maryland is the place to be for Maryland Day 2024! This will be the 99th annual Ag Day and this year we're excited for our very first AGNR Alumni Chill Zone in the Animal Science Courtyard!

Join us on Ag Day Avenue to visit the Campus Farm and take in a livestock show with our students. Drop by the Animal Science courtyard to see our college in full force with clubs, departments, and Extension programs. Grab a plant from the Institute of Applied Agriculture or from the Plant Science Building. McKeldin Mall will feature Maryland 4-H and there's an Extension catfish cooking demo at Hornbake Plaza.

The topics that will be addressed include: farm management, site management and maintenance, best management practices, mortality, manure handling, litter management, vegetative environmental buffers, financial/recordkeeping, nutrient management, inspections, and emergency preparedness. We will also share all the information in a memory stick to take back to the farm for future reference. Certificate of completion will be awarded to each participant.

When: Monday, May 20, 2024
Where: Snow Hill Lions Club, 5458 E. Market Street, Snow Hill, MD 21863
Time: 8:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Register: On or before May 16, 2024: https://Poultry-Management-5-20-24.eventbrite.com or call Sheila Oscar at 410-742-1178 or email soscar@umd.edu
Registration is $20 with lunch provided - payable by check or cash on the day of the workshop.

Maryland and Delaware Nutrient Management Credits will be available

This workshop is open to all. If you need special assistance, including dietary needs, please contact Sheila at soscar@umd.edu by Monday, May 6.

AGNR faculty and staff are invited to the 2024 State of the College and Cornerstone Awards Ceremony on Wednesday, May 8 at 9:00am at the Riggs Alumni Center. The Cornerstone Awards serves to recognize an AGNR faculty or staff member or an external partner in actively promoting awareness of one of the Strategic Initiatives who demonstrates innovation, and provides a model for others in the college.

Thursday, May 16, 2024
Time: 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.  |  Cost: Free
Location: 4956 Muddy Creek Road, West River, MD 20778

Join University of Maryland Extension, NRCS, and Sarah Campbell for an educational pasture walk at New Roots Farm in West River, MD (Anne Arundel county).

New Roots Farm raises grass-finished beef, grass-fed lamb, pastured pork, and pastured poultry using rotational grazing practices and offers beef, chicken, lamb, and pork at their on-farm market store. Topics of discussion will include finishing cattle on grass, genetic selection for grass-finished livestock, and pastured pigs.

Sponsored by University of Maryland Extension and NE SARE

If you need reasonable accommodation to participate in any event or activity please contact us at least 2 weeks prior to the event.

University of Maryland Extension programs, activities, and facilities are available to all without regard to race, color, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, marital status, age, national origin, political affiliation, physical or mental disability, religion, protected veteran status, genetic information, personal appearance, or any other legally protected class.

Tuesday April 16, 2024
Time: 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.  |  Cost: Free
Location: 3250 Old Court Road, Pikesville, MD 21208

Join University of Maryland Extension, NRCS, and Joe Shaffer for an educational pasture walk at Hidden Waters Farm in Pikesville, MD (Baltimore county).

Hidden Waters raises beef, pork, poultry, and produce using rotational grazing practices to optimize soil health and sells their products at their on-farm market store. Topics of discussion will include working towards increasing plant and animal diversity and their challenges and successes with integrated multi-species grazing.

Sponsored by University of Maryland Extension and NE SARE

If you need reasonable accommodation to participate in any event or activity please contact us at least 2 weeks prior to the event.

University of Maryland Extension programs, activities, and facilities are available to all without regard to race, color, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, marital status, age, national origin, political affiliation, physical or mental disability, religion, protected veteran status, genetic information, personal appearance, or any other legally protected class.

𝗘𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗶𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆

Youth contestants must have an approved enrollment in 4-H Online for the 2024 4-H program year and have yet to compete in the category at the 4-H Horse Communications contest at the Eastern National 4-H Horse Roundup (Louisville, KY) or Western National 4-H Horse Roundup.

Complete event information and rules can be found on the Maryland 4-H website at https://go.umd.edu/4Hhorse

𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝘁𝗼 𝗥𝗲𝗴𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿

Registration for this event is through 4-H Online. To access the registration, log in to your 4-H Online family profile and click on the Events tab. You can find an Event Registration “how to” guide on the Maryland 4-H website.

All event registrations must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. on 𝗔𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗹 𝟴, 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟰. Local 4-H Educators and the State 4-H Event Manager will verify and approve registrations. Contact your local 4-H office or visit the Maryland 4-H website for more information.

This year’s Poultry Grower Expo will include a tradeshow with 25+ businesses and several educational sessions throughout the day, including generators, generator maintenance, energy savings, solar opportunities, heater repair, and summer readiness.

Farmer Training & Certification (FTC) Online Course

For Agronomic Crop and Animal Operations
Spring 2024: April 1st-May 3rd “Write Your Own Nutrient Management Plan”

Description: An opportunity for producers with cropland and pastures in Maryland who use commercial fertilizer and/or manure to learn how to write nutrient management plans (NMPs) for their operation that meet Maryland Department of Agriculture’s regulations.

Please Advise: The course requires a minimum time commitment of 15-20 hours over 5 weeks. Larger, more complicated farm operations and those with high phosphorus soil test levels may require additional training and a larger time commitment. Farmers should have soil and manure analyses prior to the second week of training.

Before registering, ensure you have the required materials and skills:

• Required Materials/Technology:
  • Reliable internet connection
  • Email address
  • Computer with Windows 7 or later (NuMan Pro software is not compatible with Mac)
  • Printer
  • Microsoft Word and Excel
  • PDF reader software
• Required Skills
  • Competency in high school math
  • Intermediate computer skills including:
    • Familiarity with web browsing
    • Experience with MS Office programs (Word, Excel),PDF readers (Adobe Acrobat or similar)
    • Ability to download/open/save/retrieve computer files
    • Ability to learn a new software program(NuMan Pro)

You will receive:

• Access to the Online Course – Administered via the University of Maryland’s Enterprise Learning Management Systems (ELMS-Canvas).
• A comprehensive training binder (electronic version- Google Drive Folder) –Consists of all materials referenced throughout the course, compiled in one place.
• NuMan Pro software
• Certification – Producers who pass the exam and complete development of their NMP will be certified by MDA to write their own NMPs.
• Voucher training credits – This class will fulfill the nutrient applicator voucher training requirements.

Cost and Registration Information:

• Space is limited therefore, register early. Registration will close on 3/27/24 or when capacity is reached.
• Cost for the course is a $20 exam fee (to be paid directly to MDA following registration, no later than3/27/24) and $25 for NuMan Pro Software
• If you need a reasonable accommodation to participate in this training please contact Kayla Griffith(kmgriffi@umd.edu) prior to 4/25/24.
• To register for the Spring 2024 FTC Online offering April 2024-May 2024 (see course outline below), go to https://go.umd.edu/april24OnlineFTC

Come celebrate Earth Day with the Department of Environmental Science and Technology as we explore Justice, Innovation and Equity – Shaping a Sustainable Future! Join us Monday, April 22, from 4:00 - 7:00 pm, in the Animal Science Courtyard. Our event is open to all, including students, alumni, faculty and staff. Hope to see you there!

Learn more: https://enst.umd.edu/earth-day/

Tentative Schedule:

Keynote Speaker: 4:00 - 5:00
Panel Discussion: 5:00-5:45
Earth Expo–Tables & Lightning Introduction Round: 5:45 - 6:00
Networking Mixer: 6:00 - 7:00

This talk will b egiven twice and two different locations.

Thursday March 14, at 3:30 at the Hurlock Old Library Building (222 S Main St, Hurlock, MD). Free.

Tuesday, March 19, from 2:00 to 4:00 pm at the Dorchester County Historical Society (1003 Greenway Drive, Cambridge, MD). $5 for non members.